The Rams got the last laugh against the 49ers last year. San Francisco handed Los Angeles two losses in the 2021 regular season. However, the Rams punched their Super Bowl ticket with a win against the 49ers in the NFC Conference Championship Game.
Will the 49ers get some revenge in their home digs against the defending Super Bowl Champion? How should bettors approach a game featuring two foes that are very familiar with one another? We’ll analyze both teams and offer our favorite Rams vs. 49ers predictions for this Monday Night Football contest.
Rams vs. 49ers Predictions
For these Rams vs. 49ers predictions, I’ll make these picks at DraftKings Sportsbook.
As it turns out, DraftKings flexes an exciting welcome bonus:
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Rams vs. 49ers Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rams | +2 (-110) | +110 | O 42.5 |
| @ 49ers | -2 (-110) | -130 | U 42.5 |
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook as of 1 pm ET on Monday.
Game Info
- Date: Monday, Oct. 3
- Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
- Location: Levi’s Stadium
- TV: ESPN
Rams vs. 49ers Trends
- The Rams have hovered around their current +110 line since Friday, dipping as low as +104 and reaching as high as +118.
- The Rams are 4-1 against the spread in their last five Monday games.
- Los Angeles is 31-15-1 against the spread in their last 47 games against NFC opponents.
- The 49ers are 5-0 against the spread in their last five home games.
- The 49ers are 5-0 against the spread against teams with winning records.
- San Francisco is 5-1 against the spread in their last six games following an against-the-spread loss.
- The 49ers are 5-1 against the spread in their last six games following a straight-up loss.
Can Jimmy Garoppolo Bounce Back?
Jimmy Garoppolo was good in his season debut in Week 2 when relieving an injured Trey Lance. Garoppolo completed 13 of 21 passes for 154 yards and a touchdown, adding another score on the ground. Jimmy G’s stellar work was graded favorably by Pro Football Focus (PFF). They gave him the 12th-best passing grade in Week 2 out of 32 quarterbacks who had at least 10 dropbacks in Week 2.
But, of course, Seattle’s pass defense is a tire fire. According to Football Outsiders, the Seahawks were 32nd in pass defense Defense-Adjusted Value Over Average (DVOA) through the first three weeks. So, perhaps, it’s wise to take Garoppolo’s season debut with a grain of salt. But then, he crumbled against the Broncos in Week 3. The Broncos are sixth in pass defense DVOA, and Garoppolo shrunk in the face of a formidable foe. He completed 18 of 29 passes for 211 yards, one touchdown, and one interception and comically went full Dan Orlovsky.
In a game where Jimmy Garoppolo took a safety, the 49ers ended up losing by one. That has to sting. pic.twitter.com/ZedYuvAfwQ
— John Breech (@johnbreech) September 26, 2022
Garoppolo’s pathetic showing in Week 3 was graded accordingly by PFF. He was 29th in PFF’s passing grade out of 32 quarterbacks who had at least 10 dropbacks in Week 3. Finally, without stud left tackle Trent Williams, it’s likely to get worse for Jimmy G before it gets better.
It’s Cooper Kupp’s World, We’re Just Living In It
Everyone knows Matthew Stafford will force-feed Cooper Kupp, and no one can stop it. According to StatHead, Kupp has had the most receiving yards per game (111.4), nearly 20 more than the second-highest mark. Further, Kupp’s 111.4 receiving yards per game don’t include his insane playoff heater last year. Including last year’s postseason, Kupp has averaged 112.7 receiving yards in his last 24 games. He was also a nightmare for the 49ers last year, averaging 132.67 scrimmage yards per game and scoring three touchdowns. Kupp was at his best the last time these NFC West foes squared off, destroying them for 11 receptions, 142 yards, and two touchdowns in the NFC Championship Game.
Unfortunately, Stafford wasn’t consistently good against the 49ers last year. Still, his last two games against the 49ers were markedly better than his first meeting. Stafford had excellent PFF passing grades against the 49ers in Week 18 and in the NFC Conference Championship Game. So, it has been encouraging that Stafford has played better with more exposure to the 49ers.
Rams vs. 49ers Predictions
In a battle of Garropolo and Stafford, I’ll gladly take Stafford. Further, the absence of Williams at left tackle can’t be overstated. Second-year tackle Jaylon Moore came in to relieve Williams after he was injured, and Williams was a mess. According to PFF, he played four pass-blocking snaps and ceded two pressures, one hit, and one sack. San Francisco needs to help him. Further, San Francisco’s interior offensive line will have their hands full with Aaron Donald.
The 49ers probably won’t have much success with the backbone of their offense, their rushing attack. The Rams are second in rush defense DVOA. So, if they can’t find room to run, there’s a lot on Jimmy G’s plate, and he’s not built to carry an offense.
Finally, Kupp is a matchup-proof nightmare, as I outlined above. San Francisco’s defense is elite and can make this close. Nevertheless, LA’s offensive advantage is apparent. So, I’ll take them to win outright at plus money.
Pick: Rams Moneyline (+110) on DraftKings Sportsbook
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Taking the Rams +110 on Monday Night Football is a great way to redeem this offer.
